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1/21/2022 • Walt Disney World •
Walt Disney World guests can expect to walk a minimum of 7,000 steps per day in the parks. For guests who would be more comfortable using a scooter or ECV, here are some quick tips for using a mobility device in the parks. Where to Rent: Rent directly at the parks - If you only want a scooter for the day, you can rent one at the front of each of the four theme parks. Downside - Rentals are first come, first served. You cannot take the scooter back to your resort hotel or on resort transportation. $50 per day, plus a $20 refundable deposit. If you are park hopping, be sure to keep your receipt. You will need to return your rental before leaving the park. When you arrive at the next park, pending availability, you will be able to show your receipt for that day to rent another […]
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1/14/2022 • Blog, Universal Studios •
Universal has a reputation as the perfect destination for thrill-seekers, foodies, Muggles, and Wizards, but what about toddlers? Will my family with varying ages be able to find entertainment for everyone- even the littles? Happily, I can answer- yes! My three children span ages 12 to 2 years old. With varying interests and thrill levels, we found that there was plenty to enjoy for each age. Here are some specific areas of interest and some tips to help you with your next trip to Universal with little ones! Tip #1: Ride the Hogwarts Express! Sure, the Hogwarts Express is like a train, but in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal, it’s so much more! The train will take you between Kings Cross Station in Universal Studios and Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure. This 10-minute trip is not only a mode of transportation, but also an attraction in itself! […]
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1/1/2022 • Reviews, Universal Studios •
When you think of theme-park food, it doesn’t usually conjure up images of delectable cuisine, but Mythos at Islands of Adventure (IOA) changed that perception for us and all by happenstance. Jason and I just recently took a trip to Universal Orlando Resort and wanted to hit up IOA to ride Hagrid’s after a very relaxing day at Volcano Bay. (Side note: Hagrid’s might be the best ride I’ve ever ridden. I highly recommend it). Anyway, we were making our way through IOA when we encountered the “towering rock formations, cascading waterfalls, and ancient figures carved” into the rock that is the restaurant which was intriguing in and of itself. We took one look at the menu and knew right away we had to eat there! We were extremely fortunate as they were able to seat us in the indoor dining room within 10 minutes without reservations, although they do […]
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12/26/2021 • Blog, Universal Studios •
For every Harry Potter fan, a visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando is a bucket list item but for true Potterheads. It's the extra Easter Eggs that are hidden that can make the experience truly magical. While magic appears around every corner in both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley, let’s explore the hidden items in Hogwart’s Castle that you’ll want to take note of on your next vacation. Here are my top 5 hidden items for you to find! 1. Mandrakes- The first hidden item is located outdoors, in the greenhouse. If your visit to Hogsmeade has low crowds, you may miss the Mandrakes, but pause just before you enter the castle and check out these restorative plants located behind a fence so that they cannot be accidentally pulled out of their pots, subjecting you to their screams. 2. Four Founders of Hogwarts: The Hall of […]
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12/21/2021 • Blog, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World •
If you are reading this blog post, chances are you have found cheap flights from Allegiant to Orlando and are curious about your best options for transportation to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando Resort. Allegiant flies into Orlando Sanford Airport (SFB) in Sanford, FL, which is northeast of Orlando, FL, and is considerably farther away from your travel destination than Orlando International Airport (MCO). One way to Universal Studios is about an HOUR away. And for Walt Disney World, about ONE HOUR and TWENTY MINUTES away. Both travel times depend upon construction, and I-4 traffic! Because of this, Having safe, reliable transportation to/from SFB is very important! So what are your options? There are no complimentary transportation services available at SFB to either theme park destination, but there are paid services available. Me and The Mouse Travel recommends the following, and can assist you with these booking options. Please […]
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12/18/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios •
Surf’s up! Endless Summer: Surfside Inn and Dockside Inn, are two incredible new options for lodging during your next Universal stay! Located adjacent to each other, both Dockside and Surfside offer rooms with two queen beds with either a standard or pool view, but they also offer a second option for larger parties – two-bedroom suites! And the price point for these rooms is phenomenal! While the standard two queen rooms will comfortably sleep four, the family suites are larger at 440 square feet and will sleep up to six people! Both room types offer a single bathroom (the suite with double sinks), queen beds, ample storage, as well as a small kitchenette. Each kitchenette includes a microwave, a mini-fridge, a coffee maker, and a picnic table – perfect for families! Downstairs you will find a full quick-service restaurant with grab and go options as well as made to order […]
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12/10/2021 • Blog, Tips, Universal Studios •
If Mardi Gras is about music, parades, floats, food, and excitement, then Universal Orlando has a memorable celebration you won’t want to miss. Held each spring during portions of February and March, Universal Studios Florida is set up for a party like none other, and for many guests, the music itself is reason enough to make sure your trip is timed for this great event. Listen to an amazing concert from some of the biggest names in pop, rock, country, R&B, and more at the Music Plaza stage on select nights, all included with your park entry ticket. You’ll be entertained not just by the concerts, but each night Universal hosts their own parade with original and authentic floats designed by Kern Studios who also build the floats for the New Orleans Mardi Gras parade. From these floats, beads will be tossed to you so make sure to line up […]
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12/8/2021 • Blog, Reviews, Universal Studios •
You’ve been to Disney many times. The food, the characters, the music, and the shows are all reasons for you to keep coming back. The roller coasters are themed well and so fun, but maybe a 5/10 on the thrill factor and you’re looking for an adrenaline rush. Look no further than Universal Orlando! There are so many high-intensity roller coasters at Universal Orlando that you will finish your day not knowing if you’re standing right side up! Here are a few of my “can’t miss” coasters at Universal Orlando: 1) Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure – Other than the fact that it being Harry Potter-themed automatically makes it awesome, this is the longest roller coaster ride in Florida. With speeds up to 50mph, this one isn’t slow either, and incorporating the story of being a student in a Magical Creatures Class, truly makes this coaster have it all. Location: […]
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12/6/2021 • Tips, Universal Studios •
At Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando, most major attractions have a strict ‘no loose items’ policy - and that encompasses change, wallets, purses of any kind, backpacks, sunglasses, hats, etc. There are a few solutions to this: asking a party member to hold everything while you enjoy the attraction is one solution, but a better one is to utilize Short-Term Lockers. Various locations throughout the theme parks, strategically located close to attractions with these requirements, will house banks of lockers with a digital kiosk. Using the kiosk allows you to ‘rent’ a short-term locker by either using a fingerprint and code or your theme park admission ticket. You will then be assigned a locker for your belongings, which are roughly big enough for a standard-sized backpack. What’s great about these lockers? They are FREE for the first hour, typically. The FREE use of the locker is based […]
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12/4/2021 • Tips, Universal Studios •
Want to make your Harry Potter trip a little more magical? If you are a Harry Potter fan, you may already have your favorite Hogwart’s house. To add to the fun of your visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, visit the official site for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter before you arrive at the park (or while standing in line to get in). You can learn all about Harry Potter, Hogwart’s School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and even get sorted into one of the four Hogwart’s houses! Let’s get started! Start the fun at www.wizardingworld.com. You must create an account before you can begin your journey. Enter your email address, create a password (a combination of numbers and upper and lower case letter), and end your complete birth date.{Important to note: guests must be at least 13 years old to register}. You will need […]
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